Cristiano Ronaldo has set himself the lofty target of winning seven Ballons d'Or before he hangs up his boots - and fathering seven children off the pitch.

The Real Madrid No7 (we see a theme here) is the favourite to win this year's Ballon d'Or, which would be his fifth following last year's success and last month welcomed his fourth child into the world earlier this month.

But he's not finished there.

"For as long as I'm playing I will try to win all that I can," Ronaldo told L'Equipe . "My dream is to win a fifth Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo is gunning for his fifth Ballon d'Or this season (Image: Internet Unknown)

"Then there will be another one to fight for next year."

Ronaldo's fourth child, Alana, was born on November 12 and the Real Madrid star told the publication how much it means to him to be a father.

Alana was born earlier this month

"I am happy to have so many people around me," he said."I wanted to have children."For me, a life without children wouldn't be anything."

Ronaldo welcomed twins to his family via a surrogate in July and also has a son, Cristiano Jnr, who was born to an anonymous American in 2010.

Four down, three to go... (Image: AFP)

Real Madrid have suffered a disappointing start to the season, currently sitting third in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona and face their local rivals Atletico this weekend.

But the Portuguese insists that they will prove their title credentials on the big stage.

"We are the champions of the past two years and we're defending a title," he continued.

"That must be respected."I believe that we have shown that we are ready when we have to be."